Mitch Johnson learns of the Spurs’ loss to the Cavs in the midst of a tough streak

The San Antonio Spurs are off to a start that could lead to the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2019. Combine that with recent news possible interest in Giannis Antetokounmpoand the fact that they go through brutal exertion without Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle is not at the forefront of any Spurs talk. It’s a reality that was top of mind for head coach Mitch Johnson after a 130-117 loss to Cleveland Cavaliers.

“We had some, I felt, mental fatigue,” the first-year man said.

The setback in Ohio comes amid eight road contests in nine games for the Silver and Black.

“There’s always physical fatigue during the season. But just a lack of readiness, a lack of preparation to start the ball,” Johnson added before going into the first person to describe his players’ struggles.

“Getting to work when I get in the game. Lack of passing balls across half court, and I’m opposite, so I should be ready to help. Just a lot of little things,” Johnson continued.

The Spurs ran out of steam in the loss to the Cavaliers

San Antonio gained an eight-point lead over Cleveland, which improved to 14-10 with the win and is widely expected to enter the NBA playoffs. A third quarter in which the Cavs outscored the Spurs 44-19 ultimately proved the difference.

“The physicality and the resistance early in the possession wasn’t where it needed to be. We missed some shots. We had some good shots, but we missed them. And then, you start playing on your heels. They play with momentum going downhill and there was a snowball effect that was pretty disappointing,” Jones said.

Donovan Mitchell had 28 points and eight assists for the Cavaliers. Evan Mobley added 17 points and 10 rebounds.

“You play good teams and good players and they can get away from you quickly. And I think we felt a little bit of that, which ended up being a lot. I thought we were taking the ball out of the net a lot, and they brought it in almost like the court was slanted for us,” Johnson continued.

That has proven to be a rarity for the Spurs this season, even as they navigate the last three weeks without Webby and Castle. The loss to the Cavaliers still leaves them with a 7-3 record in games without their Rookie of the Year back.

“We had a lot of combinations that weren’t played together and didn’t have a lot of continuity in the half-court set, rhythm, chemistry,” Johnson continued. “And so when you’re taking it off the grid, it can make you feel a little limited. Or when you have to take an extra second to get organized, and now you even have less momentum and pace. So yeah, just some things to clean up and do.”

A setting that is only highlighted one home game since the start of Thanksgiving week and has taken the Spurs through Phoenix, Portland, Denver, Minneapolis, Orlando and Cleveland with a stop in Los Angeles ahead, taking the silver and black to New Orleans.